CA2635577C - Voltage regulator for magnetogenerators with configurable connection of the phase windings - Google Patents
Voltage regulator for magnetogenerators with configurable connection of the phase windings Download PDFInfo
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- CA2635577C CA2635577C CA2635577A CA2635577A CA2635577C CA 2635577 C CA2635577 C CA 2635577C CA 2635577 A CA2635577 A CA 2635577A CA 2635577 A CA2635577 A CA 2635577A CA 2635577 C CA2635577 C CA 2635577C
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- phase windings
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- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 79
- QHGVXILFMXYDRS-UHFFFAOYSA-N pyraclofos Chemical compound C1=C(OP(=O)(OCC)SCCC)C=NN1C1=CC=C(Cl)C=C1 QHGVXILFMXYDRS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 8
- 230000001276 controlling effect Effects 0.000 description 7
- 239000003990 capacitor Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 4
- ZMJBYMUCKBYSCP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydroxycitric acid Chemical compound OC(=O)C(O)C(O)(C(O)=O)CC(O)=O ZMJBYMUCKBYSCP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000033228 biological regulation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000017525 heat dissipation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003405 preventing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02P—CONTROL OR REGULATION OF ELECTRIC MOTORS, ELECTRIC GENERATORS OR DYNAMO-ELECTRIC CONVERTERS; CONTROLLING TRANSFORMERS, REACTORS OR CHOKE COILS
- H02P9/00—Arrangements for controlling electric generators for the purpose of obtaining a desired output
- H02P9/08—Control of generator circuit during starting or stopping of driving means, e.g. for initiating excitation
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
- H02J7/14—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries for charging batteries from dynamo-electric generators driven at varying speed, e.g. on vehicle
- H02J7/1469—Regulation of the charging current or voltage otherwise than by variation of field
- H02J7/1484—Regulation of the charging current or voltage otherwise than by variation of field by commutation of the output windings of the generator
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02P—CONTROL OR REGULATION OF ELECTRIC MOTORS, ELECTRIC GENERATORS OR DYNAMO-ELECTRIC CONVERTERS; CONTROLLING TRANSFORMERS, REACTORS OR CHOKE COILS
- H02P9/00—Arrangements for controlling electric generators for the purpose of obtaining a desired output
- H02P9/48—Arrangements for obtaining a constant output value at varying speed of the generator, e.g. on vehicle
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Control Of Eletrric Generators (AREA)
- Coils Of Transformers For General Uses (AREA)
Abstract
The voltage regulator receives power in A.C. from a permanent magnet voltage generator, having phase windings with a configurable connection, to supply power in D.C. to a battery. The voltage regulator comprises a plurality of semi-bridge rectifiers connected between the terminals of the phase windings of the voltage generator, and a battery power supply terminal; it also comprises a control circuit designed to change over the connection of the phase windings between two different configurations, for example star and delta, in relation to the charging voltage of the battery upon exceeding a threshold value of the phase frequency of the voltage generator.
Description
VOLTAGE REGULATOR FOR MAGNETOGENERATORS WITH CONFIGURABLE
CONNECTION OF THE PHASE WINDINGS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention refers to a voltage regulator for magneto-generators of the type having a variable winding configura-tion, normally used in charging batteries for powering elec-trical loads, for which a sufficient quantity of energy is required both at low and high number of revolutions of the magnetogenerator, to maintain the voltage of the battery at a constant rated value, regardless of the power required by the electrical load to which the battery is connected.
STATE OF THE ART
In numerous applications of voltage magnetogenerators, designed to operate both at low and high number of revolu-tions, for example to supply electrical power to an ignition circuit, and/or to a battery for powering small internal com-bustion engines, outboard engines for small watercraft, or in other uses for which different current values at different rotational speeds are required, it is possible to satisfy such requirements by intervening on the electrical and me-chanical dimensions of the generator itself. Usually, this is made possible for voltage magnetogenerators of large dimen-sions, however it requires the availability of space and in any case generators of considerable weight and relatively high cost. Moreover, in relation to the contemplated applica-tion and the operative conditions of the generator, in cer-tain cases problems may arise in dissipating any excess of power.
Wherever, due to reasons of space, cost, or for other reasons it is not possible make use of voltage generators of larger dimensions, it is necessary to choose appropriate electrical solutions in order to satisfy the various require-ments of use, and maintain the overall dimensions and weight of the generator comparatively limited.
It is also known that in order to charge the power of a voltage magnetogenerator, usually it is necessary to change the number of turns of the field windings, increasing or de-creasing the winding turns according to whether one intends to privilege, in terms of output current, and performances at low or high operative speeds. For such purpose, in the past use was made of magnetogenerators provided with a plurality of windings capable of supplying a high output power, while maintaining weights and overall dimensions comparatively lim-ited.
According to the previously proposed solutions, use was made of voltage generators whose field windings are opera-tively connected to a control circuit comprising a plurality of diodes and electronic switches controlled by a microproc-essor. The microprocessor is programmed to change the con-figuration or connection of the phase windings upon variation of the rotational speed, between a "series configuration" at a low number of revolutions, and a "parallel configuration"
CONNECTION OF THE PHASE WINDINGS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention refers to a voltage regulator for magneto-generators of the type having a variable winding configura-tion, normally used in charging batteries for powering elec-trical loads, for which a sufficient quantity of energy is required both at low and high number of revolutions of the magnetogenerator, to maintain the voltage of the battery at a constant rated value, regardless of the power required by the electrical load to which the battery is connected.
STATE OF THE ART
In numerous applications of voltage magnetogenerators, designed to operate both at low and high number of revolu-tions, for example to supply electrical power to an ignition circuit, and/or to a battery for powering small internal com-bustion engines, outboard engines for small watercraft, or in other uses for which different current values at different rotational speeds are required, it is possible to satisfy such requirements by intervening on the electrical and me-chanical dimensions of the generator itself. Usually, this is made possible for voltage magnetogenerators of large dimen-sions, however it requires the availability of space and in any case generators of considerable weight and relatively high cost. Moreover, in relation to the contemplated applica-tion and the operative conditions of the generator, in cer-tain cases problems may arise in dissipating any excess of power.
Wherever, due to reasons of space, cost, or for other reasons it is not possible make use of voltage generators of larger dimensions, it is necessary to choose appropriate electrical solutions in order to satisfy the various require-ments of use, and maintain the overall dimensions and weight of the generator comparatively limited.
It is also known that in order to charge the power of a voltage magnetogenerator, usually it is necessary to change the number of turns of the field windings, increasing or de-creasing the winding turns according to whether one intends to privilege, in terms of output current, and performances at low or high operative speeds. For such purpose, in the past use was made of magnetogenerators provided with a plurality of windings capable of supplying a high output power, while maintaining weights and overall dimensions comparatively lim-ited.
According to the previously proposed solutions, use was made of voltage generators whose field windings are opera-tively connected to a control circuit comprising a plurality of diodes and electronic switches controlled by a microproc-essor. The microprocessor is programmed to change the con-figuration or connection of the phase windings upon variation of the rotational speed, between a "series configuration" at a low number of revolutions, and a "parallel configuration"
at a higher number of revolutions; a solution of this kind is described for example in US7,026,794.
While on the one hand this solution contributes to solve part of the aforementioned problems, on the other hand it continues to present limits and drawbacks, such as low effi-ciency for single-phase alternators, and torque regularity problems, especially at low revolutions, known by the term "Cogging" as a result of an interaction between the magnets of the rotor and the magnetic structure of the stator. More-over, the use of a voltage regulator controlled by a proces-sor, besides requiring additional space, necessarily involves higher costs for the entire system.
There is consequently a need to find a new solution capa-ble of meeting the aforementioned requirements, by reducing if not eliminating the problems and drawbacks inherent in these known systems.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
A first object of the invention is to provide a voltage regulator for magnetogenerators of the type having a config-urable connection of the field windings, which makes use of considerably simplified electronics, and offers the possibil-ity of eliminating the use of processors or logic control units, thereby reducing the overall dimensions, maintaining comparatively low costs for the voltage regulator and for the entire voltage generating system.
A still further object of the invention is to provide the assembly of a voltage magnetogenerator and a voltage regula-tor for charging a battery, whereby it is possible to supply the battery with the necessary electric power, both at low and high number of revolutions of the generator, character-ised by a low variation of the torque, and capable of auto-matically controlling the connection configurations of the field windings, both upon the variation of the charging volt-age of the battery, and upon the variation of the number of revolutions of the voltage generator, or of its phase fre-quency.
A still further object is to provide a magnetogenerator and voltage regulator assembly capable of automatically changing the configuration of the connection of the field windings, thereby making the problems related to the heat dissipation, less critical.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In general, according to a first aspect of the invention, a voltage regulator suitable to receive A.C. power from a voltage magnetogenerator, and to supply D.C. power to a bat-tery has been provided, in which the voltage generator com-prises a plurality of phase windings each having first and second connecting terminals, and in which the voltage regula-tor is conformed to change the connection of the phase wind-ings between a first and a second configuration, in relation to the charging voltage for the battery, and/or the frequency of the same voltage generator;
characterised by comprising:
a plurality of pairs of semi-bridge rectifiers, in which each pair comprises first and second semi-bridges connected in phase opposition each other between a corresponding termi-nal of a respective phase winding of the magnetogenerator, and a power supply terminal for the battery;
a contrQl switch circuit for varying the connection con-figurations of the phase windings, the control circuit com-prising a plurality of switching devices each consisting of first and second electronic switches connected in anti-parallel, in a looped circuit in which the connection between two adjacent switching devices in turn is connected to a ter-minal of a respective phase winding; and a pilot circuit for controlling the switching devices of the control circuit, the pilot circuit comprising a first transistor connected to control electrodes of the switching devices; and in which the first transistor is operatively connected to a first voltage detecting circuit for measuring the voltage of the battery, respectively to a second phase-frequency de-tecting circuit of a winding of the voltage generator;
the frequency detecting circuit being conformed and operatively connected to activate the pilot circuit to selec-tively change the connection configuration of the field wind-ings of the magnetogenerator, in relation to a pre-established threshold value of the phase frequency and/or battery voltage detected by said detecting circuits.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and further features of the voltage regulator ac-cording to the invention, and a preferential embodiment thereof will be more clearly evident from the following de-scription with reference to the drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 shows a diagram of the electronic circuit of the voltage regulator;
Fig. 2 shows the detailed electronic diagram of the phase-frequency detecting circuit and of a pilot circuit for controlling a switching circuit for changing the connection configurations of the phase windings;
Fig. 3 shows a graph of the current of each half-bridge rectifier, in relation to the number of revolutions of the voltage generator, for both star and delta connections of the phase windings;
Fig. 4 shows a graph of the battery voltage, in relation to time, when the number of revolutions of the generator is below a threshold value of the voltage frequency;
Fig. 5 shows a graph of the battery voltage, in relation to time, when the number of revolutions of the generator is above a threshold value of the voltage frequency;
Fig. 6 is a graph showing the ON-OFF procedures for the electronic switches of the circuit for changing the configu-ration connection the phase windings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Figures 1 and 2 represent the diagram of an electronic voltage regulator according to the invention, by means of which it is possible to automatically control different con-nection configurations of the phase windings of a voltage magnetogenerator, for converting an A.C. into a D.C power supplied to a battery, while maintaining the voltage of the same battery to a substantially constant rated value upon variation of the number of revolutions of the generator.
For the purposes of this description, it is pointed out that the same reference numbers have been used for identical blocks.
In the example of figures 1 and 2, the voltage regulator is connected to an A.C. voltage magnetogenerator 1, for exam-ple consisting of a three-phase alternator of the permanent magnets type. The voltage generator 1 comprises a rotor 2 and a stator having three phase windings, 3A, 3B and 3C, whose connection can be changed automatically, between a star and a delta configuration, in relation to the number of revolutions of the rotor 2 and the charging voltage VB of a battery 5 powered by the magnetogenerator 1.
The voltage regulator comprises a plurality of pairs of semi-bridge rectifiers 4 each having diodes Dl, D2 connected between a terminal of a respective phase winding 3A, 3B, 3C
of the voltage generator 1, the ground, and a first power supply terminal of the battery 5, for example the positive terminal, as shown. In particular, the terminals of each of each phase winding 3A, 3B, 3C are connected to the positive terminal of the battery 5 by a pair of semi-bridge rectifiers provided by a first and a second semi-bridge rectifier 4.1 and 4.2, in phase opposition with one another, to alternately conduct during the positive and the negative half waves of the phase voltage.
One of the two terminals of each phase winding 3A, 3B and 3C, hereinafter also referred to as first terminal, in turn is connectable to earth by an electronic short-circuiting switch consisting, for example, of a thyristor 6, for con-trolling the rated charging voltage of the battery 5 as ex-plained further on.
The voltage regulator 1 also comprises a control switch circuit for changing the connection configurations of the phase windings 3A, 3B, 3C of the voltage generator; in the case of the three-phase generator of figure 1, the control circuit for the winding configurations comprises three switching devices 8, each provided by two electronic switches connected in anti-parallel, for example consisting of a pairs of thyristors Tl and T2, T3 and T4, T5 and T6; the switching devices 8 in each circuit are connected each another accord-ing to a looped configuration, in such a way that the connec-tion P common to two adjacent switching devices 8 is in turn connected to the second terminal of a respective phase wind-ing 3A, 3B and 3C of the voltage generator 1.
The voltage regulator comprises also a phase frequency detecting circuit 9 for detecting a phase voltage frequency of the generator, and a pilot circuit 10 for controlling the switching devices 8, shown in detail in figure 2. The fre-quency detecting circuit 9 is connected to a phase winding of the voltage generator 1, for example the winding 3C, and to the pilot circuit 10 which is activated by the circuit 9 for detecting the voltage frequency upon passing a pre-established threshold value of the same frequency to change the connection of the windings 3A, 3B and 3C between a star 10 configuration and a delta configuration, as will be explained further on.
From the foregoing, it will be clear that the second ter-minal of each phase winding 3A, 3B and 3C, the terminal not connected to the short-circuiting switches 6, is connected to two switching devices 8 for changing the configurations of the windings; this means that the anodes of T1, T3 and T5 are connected respectively with the cathodes of T2, T4 and T6, just as the anodes of T2, T4 and T6 are connected with the cathodes of T1, T3 and T5. The three pairs of electronic switching devices 8 are consequently arranged in such a way that a single pair of switches 8 is connected in anti-parallel between the second terminals of two different phase windings.
From figures 1 and 2 it can also be seen that the two thyristors Tl and T2 T3 and T4, T5 and T6 of each switching device 8, by means of a respective resistor R10.1 and R10.2, ' 11 have their control electrode piloted in current by a single PNP transistor Q4 of the pilot circuit 10; depending on the voltage difference between anode and cathode imposed by the voltage generator 1, each of the thyristors T1-T6 is switched ON, determining the star connection of the three phase wind-ings 3A, 3B and 3C.
The two thyristors T1, T2; T3, T4 and T5, T6 belonging to a same switching device 8, never conduct simultaneously, but do so alternately.
In particular, as shown in figure 6 and as explained fur-ther on, when Q4 conducts, each electronic switch consisting of the thyristors T1-T6 of the circuit for changing the wind-ing configurations, remains switched ON for half the cycle of the phase voltage, while a single pair of switches changes its state each sixth of a cycle.
If, conversely, Q4 is in a deactivated condition, the switches T1-T6 of the switching devices 8 are no longer pi-loted and switch OFF; consequently the three phase windings 3A, 3B, 3C are separated from one another. However, since the half-bridges 4.1, 4.2 are always connected to ground, like the battery 5, this condition is equivalent to a delta con-nection of the phase windings of the magnetogenerator 1.
The transistor Q4 of the pilot circuit 10, by means of a voltage divider R11, R12, is controlled by two NPN transis-tors Q5 and Q6, each having the collector and emitter termi-nals connected respectively between the base of Q4 and the ground of the voltage regulator. If one of the two transis-tors Q5 and Q6 conducts, then Q4 is switched ON; otherwise if both the transistors Q5 and Q6 are switched OFF, Q4 will also be switched OFF.
The transistor Q5 of the pilot circuit 10, has the bare connected to the voltage divider R13, R14, in turn piloted by the circuit 9 for detecting the voltage frequency of one of the phases of the voltage generator; the other transistor Q6 on the contrary is piloted by the circuit 9 through the volt-age divider R22, R23, connected to a circuit 7 for detecting and measuring the charging voltage of the battery 5.
The circuit 9 receives at the inlet side the frequency of any one of the phases of the voltage generator 1, for example the phase of the winding 3C which, by the voltage divider R15, R16 (figure 2) causes the switching, at the same phase frequency, of the NPN transistor Q7 which during the negative half-waves is protected by the diode D3.
It likewise also switches the NPN transistor Q8, whose base is connected between the resistor R17 and the collector of Q7, restoring the correct timing of the signal.
Consequently, the current which flows from the resistor R18 towards the capacitor C2, is short-circuited to ground by Q8 with a frequency equivalent to that of the phase 3C of the voltage generator, thereby producing on the collector of Q8 a square voltage wave which, through the capacitor C2 enables the diodes D4 and. D5 to discharge the capacitor C3 powered through R19 by the battery voltage.
As long as the resistor 19 maintains the voltage on C3 higher than the voltage Vbe-on between base and emitter of the NPN transistor Q9, then the latter is conductive and, with the voltage divider R20, R21 connected to the base of Q10 switches ON the latter, which in turn brings Q5 into con-duction.
The result of all this is that the circuit 9 can enable or disenable the conduction of Q5 at a given threshold value of the phase frequency of the voltage generator, upon exceed-ing which the switching from star to delta connection, or vice versa, between the phase windings 3A, 3B and 3C will take place.
The frequency threshold at which Q5 goes into conduction or interdiction is obtained by selecting R19 in such a way that at the terminals of the capacitor C3 there is a voltage lower than the Vbe-on of Q9.
Conversely, as previously mentioned, the NPN transistor Q6 through the resistors R22 and R23 and the Zener diode Z3 is piloted by the circuit 7 for measuring the charging volt-age of the battery 5. The voltage measuring circuit 7 com-prises a PNP transistor Ql whose collector and emitter are connected respectively to the battery 5 by the resistor R3, and to the Zener Z3; the base of Ql is also biased by a volt-age divider Rl, R2 connected to ground by a Zener Zl.
When the voltage existing on the parallel circuit con-sisting of the capacitor Cl and the resistor R4 branched from the measuring circuit 7 for the voltage of the battery 5, ex-ceeds the voltage value imposed by the Zener Z3, the current flows over the voltage divider R22, R23 and consequently Q6 goes into conduction, switching ON Q4.
As mentioned previously, one of the two terminals of each phase winding 3A, 3B, 3C is connected to the anode of an electronic switch 6, for example a shunt thyristor with the cathode connected to the ground, which has the function of short-circuiting to ground the respective phase winding when the voltage of the battery 5 detected by the circuit 7 ex-ceeds a pre-established rated value VN.
As soon as the battery 5 reaches the value VR, the cur-rent of the generator is short-circuited to. This is done by the short-circuiting switch 6 of each phase winding, whose control electrode is connected to the collector of a PNP
transistor Q3 having the emitter connected to the respective phase winding, forming part of control circuits 11 for con-trolling the ON and OFF states of the winding short-circuiting electronic switches 6.
The base of Q3 is biased by a voltage divider R7, R8 con-nected to the collector/emitter circuit of an NPN transistor Q2, having the collector connected to ground, forming part of a main control circuit 12 for activating/deactivating the winding short-circuiting control circuits 11.
The base of Q2 is biased by a voltage divider R5, R6 con-nected, by the Zener Z2, to the circuit 7 for detecting and measuring the voltage of the battery 5.
From the foregoing, it will be evident therefore that as long as the voltage VB of the battery 5 is lower than the voltage value of the Zener Z1, current does not circulate on the voltage divider R1, R2 and therefore the transistor Q1 remains disenabled. If, on the contrary, the voltage VB of the battery exceeds a pre-established value VR, Q1 switches ON into conduction supplying, by the resistor R3, a collector 10 current proportional to the battery voltage. The voltage on the parallel circuit R4, C4 will increase linearly until it exceeds the voltage of the Zener diode Z2. As soon as this occurs, the transistor Q2 becomes biased to conduct thanks to the voltage divider R5, R6; in this way the transistors Q3 of the individual circuits 11 also become biased by the respec-tive resistors R7 and R8. Therefore, a current will flow on the resistor R9 capable of switching ON the respective short-circuiting switch 6 which will connect to ground the respec-tive one of the three phase windings 3A, 3B and 3C of the voltage magnetogenerator 1. Consequently, it will result in a battery voltage VB restricted to a value never exceeding the rated value VR.
When the number of revolutions of the voltage generator is higher than a pre-established threshold value RPM', the phase windings 3A, 3B and 3C have a delta configuration; as soon as the battery 5 reaches the rated value, the current of the generator is switched to ground. As mentioned previously, this gives rise to a greater power dissipation to ground by the voltage generator 1 and by the short-circuiting switches 6; therefore it is essential to reduce this current to a minimum. For this purpose it is advisable to choose the volt-age value of Z3 slightly lower than that of Z2, typically 0.6 volt, so as to erisure the changing from delta to star con-figuration just before the regulation, which can thus occur with considerably reduced currents.
Figure 3 of the drawings shows two typical graph of the current I of the battery, both in the case of star connec-tion, and in the case of delta connection upon variation of the number of revolutions per minute, RPM, of the rotor 2 of the voltage generator 1. In particular, the graph ST shows the flow of I in the case of a star connection, while the graph TR shows the flow of I in the case of a delta connec-tion. It can be seen that the current I, at low revolution numbers, below the threshold value RPM', assumes lower values when the phase windings are delta connected TR, compared to the star connection ST; the opposite occurs at revolution numbers higher than RPM'.
Figure 3 also shows the point P1 relating to a revolution number corresponding to the threshold value RPM', for which the voltage generator 1 supplies a current I' for powering the battery 5 quantitatively independent of the type of con-nection of phase windings; point P is consequently the time at which occurs the change between the delta and star connec-tion, and vice versa.
Figure 4 shows the graph in respect to time of the volt-age VB of the battery 5 in the event of the number of revolu-tions RPM of the rotor 2 being lower than RPM' of figure 3, while figure 5 shows the graph over time t of the voltage VB
in the event of the number of revolutions RPM being higher than RPM'.
In particular, from figure 4 it can be seen that the gra-dient of the curve, each time the nominal voltage VN is ex-ceeded, is substantially constant up to the rated value VR;
conversely, from figure 5 it can be seen that the gradient of the curve changes and decreases each time the rated voltage VN is exceeded.
Lastly, figure 6 shows the procedure with which the elec-tronic switches T1-T6, which allow the selective star and delta connections of the phase windings 3A, 3B and 3C of the voltage generator 1, are piloted in conduction (ON), or in interdiction (OFF), by the voltage regulator.
In particular, from figure 6 it can be seen that for each half cycle HP of each of the three phases A, B and C of the voltage magnetogenerator 1, only one of the thyristors T1-T6 in each of the switching circuits 8 for changing the connec-tion configuration, is conductive (ON); at the same time in the same figure 6 it can also be noted, still in the case of a three-phase generator, that each sixth of a cycle P/6 a single pair of thyristors T1-T6 changes state.
The method of operating of the voltage regulator of fig-ures 1 and 2 is briefly described hereunder.
In general, in the various possible applications of this invention it is required that at both low and at high rota-tional speeds of the magnetogenerator 1, a sufficient quan-tity of electric power, or current, is available for main-taining the battery 5 at a constant charging voltage VB, re-gardless of the current required by the electric loads con-nected to it.
As mentioned previously, a terminal of each of the three phase windings 3A, 3B and 3C of the generator 1 is connected to the positive terminal of the battery 5 by a pair of semi-bridge rectifiers 4.1, 4.2, and is selectively connectable to ground by a short-circuiting switch 6 controlled by the elec-tronic control circuit 11.
In order to change the connection configuration of the phase windings, from star to delta and vice versa, as men-tioned previously the voltage regulator comprises three switching devices 8 each consisting of a first and second thyristor T which have their respective anodes and cathodes connected in anti-parallel with one another, and connected to the terminals not short-circuitable to ground of two differ-ent phase windings; the control electrodes of the thyristors T of the three switching devices 8 are piloted separately by the electronic circuits 9 and 10 which carry out both the measurement of the voltage frequency of one phase of the gen-erator 1, for example the frequencies of the phase winding 3.6, and the changing of the connection configuration.
Since there is a proportional relationship between the phase frequency and the number of revolutions per minute (RPM) of the rotor 2, according to which the number of revo-lutions per minute is equivalent to the ratio between the electric frequency and the number of polar couples of the ro-tor (constant), a measurement of the phase frequency will re-sult corresponding to the measurement of the number of revo-lutions RPM of the magnetogenerator 1.
As pointed out previously with reference to figure 3, it is also known that at low numbers of revolutions of the volt-age magnetogenerator, the current I supplied to the battery 5 is greater if the phase windings are star connected, compared to a delta connection; the opposite occurs for a high number of revolutions.
Consequently, as soon as the rotor 2 begins to move the electronic measuring circuit 9 and the control circuit 10 bring the three switching devices 8 into conduction, giving rise to the star connection of the phase windings 3A, 3B and 3C. This operative procedure is maintained until the genera-tor 1 reaches a number of revolutions of a pre-established value, referred to as threshold value RPM', corresponding to the point P of figure 3 in which the value of the current I' supplied by the generator is unrelated to the star or delta type connection of the phase windings.
Under these conditions the circuits 9, 10 for measuring the speed of rotation and controlling the switching devices 8, no longer pilot the thyristors T which switch OFF as soon as their current drops to zero; the phase windings thus turn out to be delta connected, and remain so upon the increase of the number of revolutions RPM to fulfil a greater request for electric power.
In both these modes of connection of the phase windings, 10 however, the switches 6 for short-circuiting to ground the phase windings, are activated as soon as the battery rated value VR is exceeded; in addition, in order to decrease the current which flows in the phase windings of the generator, and in the switching devices 8, the short-circuiting switches 6 do not enter into conduction when the phase windings are delta connected, but only after the control circuit 10 has forced the star connection.
Consequently, also at high numbers of revolutions of the voltage generator, close to the rated value VR of the battery 20 voltage, it is advisable to reduce the current for short-circuiting to ground, returning to the star connection, and activating the short-circuiting switches 6 immediately after.
From what has been described and shown in the accompany-ing drawings, it will be clearly evident that a voltage regu-lator for permanent magnet generators is provided, with wind-ings connection selectively configurable in two different ~ ` .
conditions, of such kind as to supply the maximum current re-quired to maintain the voltage VB for charging a battery con-stant, regardless of the requests for power thereby prevent-ing, upon reaching the battery regulating voltage VR, exces-sive currents from flowing in the phase windings of the volt-age generator 1 and in the switching devices 8 for changing the connection configuration.
It is understood that what has been described with refer-ence to the various figures, has been given in order to il-lustrate the general characteristics of the invention, and of a preferential embodiment. Therefore, other modifications or variations may be made, for example for the application of a similar or equivalent voltage regulator to any multi-phase permanent magnet generator, without thereby departing from the claims.
While on the one hand this solution contributes to solve part of the aforementioned problems, on the other hand it continues to present limits and drawbacks, such as low effi-ciency for single-phase alternators, and torque regularity problems, especially at low revolutions, known by the term "Cogging" as a result of an interaction between the magnets of the rotor and the magnetic structure of the stator. More-over, the use of a voltage regulator controlled by a proces-sor, besides requiring additional space, necessarily involves higher costs for the entire system.
There is consequently a need to find a new solution capa-ble of meeting the aforementioned requirements, by reducing if not eliminating the problems and drawbacks inherent in these known systems.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
A first object of the invention is to provide a voltage regulator for magnetogenerators of the type having a config-urable connection of the field windings, which makes use of considerably simplified electronics, and offers the possibil-ity of eliminating the use of processors or logic control units, thereby reducing the overall dimensions, maintaining comparatively low costs for the voltage regulator and for the entire voltage generating system.
A still further object of the invention is to provide the assembly of a voltage magnetogenerator and a voltage regula-tor for charging a battery, whereby it is possible to supply the battery with the necessary electric power, both at low and high number of revolutions of the generator, character-ised by a low variation of the torque, and capable of auto-matically controlling the connection configurations of the field windings, both upon the variation of the charging volt-age of the battery, and upon the variation of the number of revolutions of the voltage generator, or of its phase fre-quency.
A still further object is to provide a magnetogenerator and voltage regulator assembly capable of automatically changing the configuration of the connection of the field windings, thereby making the problems related to the heat dissipation, less critical.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In general, according to a first aspect of the invention, a voltage regulator suitable to receive A.C. power from a voltage magnetogenerator, and to supply D.C. power to a bat-tery has been provided, in which the voltage generator com-prises a plurality of phase windings each having first and second connecting terminals, and in which the voltage regula-tor is conformed to change the connection of the phase wind-ings between a first and a second configuration, in relation to the charging voltage for the battery, and/or the frequency of the same voltage generator;
characterised by comprising:
a plurality of pairs of semi-bridge rectifiers, in which each pair comprises first and second semi-bridges connected in phase opposition each other between a corresponding termi-nal of a respective phase winding of the magnetogenerator, and a power supply terminal for the battery;
a contrQl switch circuit for varying the connection con-figurations of the phase windings, the control circuit com-prising a plurality of switching devices each consisting of first and second electronic switches connected in anti-parallel, in a looped circuit in which the connection between two adjacent switching devices in turn is connected to a ter-minal of a respective phase winding; and a pilot circuit for controlling the switching devices of the control circuit, the pilot circuit comprising a first transistor connected to control electrodes of the switching devices; and in which the first transistor is operatively connected to a first voltage detecting circuit for measuring the voltage of the battery, respectively to a second phase-frequency de-tecting circuit of a winding of the voltage generator;
the frequency detecting circuit being conformed and operatively connected to activate the pilot circuit to selec-tively change the connection configuration of the field wind-ings of the magnetogenerator, in relation to a pre-established threshold value of the phase frequency and/or battery voltage detected by said detecting circuits.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and further features of the voltage regulator ac-cording to the invention, and a preferential embodiment thereof will be more clearly evident from the following de-scription with reference to the drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 shows a diagram of the electronic circuit of the voltage regulator;
Fig. 2 shows the detailed electronic diagram of the phase-frequency detecting circuit and of a pilot circuit for controlling a switching circuit for changing the connection configurations of the phase windings;
Fig. 3 shows a graph of the current of each half-bridge rectifier, in relation to the number of revolutions of the voltage generator, for both star and delta connections of the phase windings;
Fig. 4 shows a graph of the battery voltage, in relation to time, when the number of revolutions of the generator is below a threshold value of the voltage frequency;
Fig. 5 shows a graph of the battery voltage, in relation to time, when the number of revolutions of the generator is above a threshold value of the voltage frequency;
Fig. 6 is a graph showing the ON-OFF procedures for the electronic switches of the circuit for changing the configu-ration connection the phase windings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Figures 1 and 2 represent the diagram of an electronic voltage regulator according to the invention, by means of which it is possible to automatically control different con-nection configurations of the phase windings of a voltage magnetogenerator, for converting an A.C. into a D.C power supplied to a battery, while maintaining the voltage of the same battery to a substantially constant rated value upon variation of the number of revolutions of the generator.
For the purposes of this description, it is pointed out that the same reference numbers have been used for identical blocks.
In the example of figures 1 and 2, the voltage regulator is connected to an A.C. voltage magnetogenerator 1, for exam-ple consisting of a three-phase alternator of the permanent magnets type. The voltage generator 1 comprises a rotor 2 and a stator having three phase windings, 3A, 3B and 3C, whose connection can be changed automatically, between a star and a delta configuration, in relation to the number of revolutions of the rotor 2 and the charging voltage VB of a battery 5 powered by the magnetogenerator 1.
The voltage regulator comprises a plurality of pairs of semi-bridge rectifiers 4 each having diodes Dl, D2 connected between a terminal of a respective phase winding 3A, 3B, 3C
of the voltage generator 1, the ground, and a first power supply terminal of the battery 5, for example the positive terminal, as shown. In particular, the terminals of each of each phase winding 3A, 3B, 3C are connected to the positive terminal of the battery 5 by a pair of semi-bridge rectifiers provided by a first and a second semi-bridge rectifier 4.1 and 4.2, in phase opposition with one another, to alternately conduct during the positive and the negative half waves of the phase voltage.
One of the two terminals of each phase winding 3A, 3B and 3C, hereinafter also referred to as first terminal, in turn is connectable to earth by an electronic short-circuiting switch consisting, for example, of a thyristor 6, for con-trolling the rated charging voltage of the battery 5 as ex-plained further on.
The voltage regulator 1 also comprises a control switch circuit for changing the connection configurations of the phase windings 3A, 3B, 3C of the voltage generator; in the case of the three-phase generator of figure 1, the control circuit for the winding configurations comprises three switching devices 8, each provided by two electronic switches connected in anti-parallel, for example consisting of a pairs of thyristors Tl and T2, T3 and T4, T5 and T6; the switching devices 8 in each circuit are connected each another accord-ing to a looped configuration, in such a way that the connec-tion P common to two adjacent switching devices 8 is in turn connected to the second terminal of a respective phase wind-ing 3A, 3B and 3C of the voltage generator 1.
The voltage regulator comprises also a phase frequency detecting circuit 9 for detecting a phase voltage frequency of the generator, and a pilot circuit 10 for controlling the switching devices 8, shown in detail in figure 2. The fre-quency detecting circuit 9 is connected to a phase winding of the voltage generator 1, for example the winding 3C, and to the pilot circuit 10 which is activated by the circuit 9 for detecting the voltage frequency upon passing a pre-established threshold value of the same frequency to change the connection of the windings 3A, 3B and 3C between a star 10 configuration and a delta configuration, as will be explained further on.
From the foregoing, it will be clear that the second ter-minal of each phase winding 3A, 3B and 3C, the terminal not connected to the short-circuiting switches 6, is connected to two switching devices 8 for changing the configurations of the windings; this means that the anodes of T1, T3 and T5 are connected respectively with the cathodes of T2, T4 and T6, just as the anodes of T2, T4 and T6 are connected with the cathodes of T1, T3 and T5. The three pairs of electronic switching devices 8 are consequently arranged in such a way that a single pair of switches 8 is connected in anti-parallel between the second terminals of two different phase windings.
From figures 1 and 2 it can also be seen that the two thyristors Tl and T2 T3 and T4, T5 and T6 of each switching device 8, by means of a respective resistor R10.1 and R10.2, ' 11 have their control electrode piloted in current by a single PNP transistor Q4 of the pilot circuit 10; depending on the voltage difference between anode and cathode imposed by the voltage generator 1, each of the thyristors T1-T6 is switched ON, determining the star connection of the three phase wind-ings 3A, 3B and 3C.
The two thyristors T1, T2; T3, T4 and T5, T6 belonging to a same switching device 8, never conduct simultaneously, but do so alternately.
In particular, as shown in figure 6 and as explained fur-ther on, when Q4 conducts, each electronic switch consisting of the thyristors T1-T6 of the circuit for changing the wind-ing configurations, remains switched ON for half the cycle of the phase voltage, while a single pair of switches changes its state each sixth of a cycle.
If, conversely, Q4 is in a deactivated condition, the switches T1-T6 of the switching devices 8 are no longer pi-loted and switch OFF; consequently the three phase windings 3A, 3B, 3C are separated from one another. However, since the half-bridges 4.1, 4.2 are always connected to ground, like the battery 5, this condition is equivalent to a delta con-nection of the phase windings of the magnetogenerator 1.
The transistor Q4 of the pilot circuit 10, by means of a voltage divider R11, R12, is controlled by two NPN transis-tors Q5 and Q6, each having the collector and emitter termi-nals connected respectively between the base of Q4 and the ground of the voltage regulator. If one of the two transis-tors Q5 and Q6 conducts, then Q4 is switched ON; otherwise if both the transistors Q5 and Q6 are switched OFF, Q4 will also be switched OFF.
The transistor Q5 of the pilot circuit 10, has the bare connected to the voltage divider R13, R14, in turn piloted by the circuit 9 for detecting the voltage frequency of one of the phases of the voltage generator; the other transistor Q6 on the contrary is piloted by the circuit 9 through the volt-age divider R22, R23, connected to a circuit 7 for detecting and measuring the charging voltage of the battery 5.
The circuit 9 receives at the inlet side the frequency of any one of the phases of the voltage generator 1, for example the phase of the winding 3C which, by the voltage divider R15, R16 (figure 2) causes the switching, at the same phase frequency, of the NPN transistor Q7 which during the negative half-waves is protected by the diode D3.
It likewise also switches the NPN transistor Q8, whose base is connected between the resistor R17 and the collector of Q7, restoring the correct timing of the signal.
Consequently, the current which flows from the resistor R18 towards the capacitor C2, is short-circuited to ground by Q8 with a frequency equivalent to that of the phase 3C of the voltage generator, thereby producing on the collector of Q8 a square voltage wave which, through the capacitor C2 enables the diodes D4 and. D5 to discharge the capacitor C3 powered through R19 by the battery voltage.
As long as the resistor 19 maintains the voltage on C3 higher than the voltage Vbe-on between base and emitter of the NPN transistor Q9, then the latter is conductive and, with the voltage divider R20, R21 connected to the base of Q10 switches ON the latter, which in turn brings Q5 into con-duction.
The result of all this is that the circuit 9 can enable or disenable the conduction of Q5 at a given threshold value of the phase frequency of the voltage generator, upon exceed-ing which the switching from star to delta connection, or vice versa, between the phase windings 3A, 3B and 3C will take place.
The frequency threshold at which Q5 goes into conduction or interdiction is obtained by selecting R19 in such a way that at the terminals of the capacitor C3 there is a voltage lower than the Vbe-on of Q9.
Conversely, as previously mentioned, the NPN transistor Q6 through the resistors R22 and R23 and the Zener diode Z3 is piloted by the circuit 7 for measuring the charging volt-age of the battery 5. The voltage measuring circuit 7 com-prises a PNP transistor Ql whose collector and emitter are connected respectively to the battery 5 by the resistor R3, and to the Zener Z3; the base of Ql is also biased by a volt-age divider Rl, R2 connected to ground by a Zener Zl.
When the voltage existing on the parallel circuit con-sisting of the capacitor Cl and the resistor R4 branched from the measuring circuit 7 for the voltage of the battery 5, ex-ceeds the voltage value imposed by the Zener Z3, the current flows over the voltage divider R22, R23 and consequently Q6 goes into conduction, switching ON Q4.
As mentioned previously, one of the two terminals of each phase winding 3A, 3B, 3C is connected to the anode of an electronic switch 6, for example a shunt thyristor with the cathode connected to the ground, which has the function of short-circuiting to ground the respective phase winding when the voltage of the battery 5 detected by the circuit 7 ex-ceeds a pre-established rated value VN.
As soon as the battery 5 reaches the value VR, the cur-rent of the generator is short-circuited to. This is done by the short-circuiting switch 6 of each phase winding, whose control electrode is connected to the collector of a PNP
transistor Q3 having the emitter connected to the respective phase winding, forming part of control circuits 11 for con-trolling the ON and OFF states of the winding short-circuiting electronic switches 6.
The base of Q3 is biased by a voltage divider R7, R8 con-nected to the collector/emitter circuit of an NPN transistor Q2, having the collector connected to ground, forming part of a main control circuit 12 for activating/deactivating the winding short-circuiting control circuits 11.
The base of Q2 is biased by a voltage divider R5, R6 con-nected, by the Zener Z2, to the circuit 7 for detecting and measuring the voltage of the battery 5.
From the foregoing, it will be evident therefore that as long as the voltage VB of the battery 5 is lower than the voltage value of the Zener Z1, current does not circulate on the voltage divider R1, R2 and therefore the transistor Q1 remains disenabled. If, on the contrary, the voltage VB of the battery exceeds a pre-established value VR, Q1 switches ON into conduction supplying, by the resistor R3, a collector 10 current proportional to the battery voltage. The voltage on the parallel circuit R4, C4 will increase linearly until it exceeds the voltage of the Zener diode Z2. As soon as this occurs, the transistor Q2 becomes biased to conduct thanks to the voltage divider R5, R6; in this way the transistors Q3 of the individual circuits 11 also become biased by the respec-tive resistors R7 and R8. Therefore, a current will flow on the resistor R9 capable of switching ON the respective short-circuiting switch 6 which will connect to ground the respec-tive one of the three phase windings 3A, 3B and 3C of the voltage magnetogenerator 1. Consequently, it will result in a battery voltage VB restricted to a value never exceeding the rated value VR.
When the number of revolutions of the voltage generator is higher than a pre-established threshold value RPM', the phase windings 3A, 3B and 3C have a delta configuration; as soon as the battery 5 reaches the rated value, the current of the generator is switched to ground. As mentioned previously, this gives rise to a greater power dissipation to ground by the voltage generator 1 and by the short-circuiting switches 6; therefore it is essential to reduce this current to a minimum. For this purpose it is advisable to choose the volt-age value of Z3 slightly lower than that of Z2, typically 0.6 volt, so as to erisure the changing from delta to star con-figuration just before the regulation, which can thus occur with considerably reduced currents.
Figure 3 of the drawings shows two typical graph of the current I of the battery, both in the case of star connec-tion, and in the case of delta connection upon variation of the number of revolutions per minute, RPM, of the rotor 2 of the voltage generator 1. In particular, the graph ST shows the flow of I in the case of a star connection, while the graph TR shows the flow of I in the case of a delta connec-tion. It can be seen that the current I, at low revolution numbers, below the threshold value RPM', assumes lower values when the phase windings are delta connected TR, compared to the star connection ST; the opposite occurs at revolution numbers higher than RPM'.
Figure 3 also shows the point P1 relating to a revolution number corresponding to the threshold value RPM', for which the voltage generator 1 supplies a current I' for powering the battery 5 quantitatively independent of the type of con-nection of phase windings; point P is consequently the time at which occurs the change between the delta and star connec-tion, and vice versa.
Figure 4 shows the graph in respect to time of the volt-age VB of the battery 5 in the event of the number of revolu-tions RPM of the rotor 2 being lower than RPM' of figure 3, while figure 5 shows the graph over time t of the voltage VB
in the event of the number of revolutions RPM being higher than RPM'.
In particular, from figure 4 it can be seen that the gra-dient of the curve, each time the nominal voltage VN is ex-ceeded, is substantially constant up to the rated value VR;
conversely, from figure 5 it can be seen that the gradient of the curve changes and decreases each time the rated voltage VN is exceeded.
Lastly, figure 6 shows the procedure with which the elec-tronic switches T1-T6, which allow the selective star and delta connections of the phase windings 3A, 3B and 3C of the voltage generator 1, are piloted in conduction (ON), or in interdiction (OFF), by the voltage regulator.
In particular, from figure 6 it can be seen that for each half cycle HP of each of the three phases A, B and C of the voltage magnetogenerator 1, only one of the thyristors T1-T6 in each of the switching circuits 8 for changing the connec-tion configuration, is conductive (ON); at the same time in the same figure 6 it can also be noted, still in the case of a three-phase generator, that each sixth of a cycle P/6 a single pair of thyristors T1-T6 changes state.
The method of operating of the voltage regulator of fig-ures 1 and 2 is briefly described hereunder.
In general, in the various possible applications of this invention it is required that at both low and at high rota-tional speeds of the magnetogenerator 1, a sufficient quan-tity of electric power, or current, is available for main-taining the battery 5 at a constant charging voltage VB, re-gardless of the current required by the electric loads con-nected to it.
As mentioned previously, a terminal of each of the three phase windings 3A, 3B and 3C of the generator 1 is connected to the positive terminal of the battery 5 by a pair of semi-bridge rectifiers 4.1, 4.2, and is selectively connectable to ground by a short-circuiting switch 6 controlled by the elec-tronic control circuit 11.
In order to change the connection configuration of the phase windings, from star to delta and vice versa, as men-tioned previously the voltage regulator comprises three switching devices 8 each consisting of a first and second thyristor T which have their respective anodes and cathodes connected in anti-parallel with one another, and connected to the terminals not short-circuitable to ground of two differ-ent phase windings; the control electrodes of the thyristors T of the three switching devices 8 are piloted separately by the electronic circuits 9 and 10 which carry out both the measurement of the voltage frequency of one phase of the gen-erator 1, for example the frequencies of the phase winding 3.6, and the changing of the connection configuration.
Since there is a proportional relationship between the phase frequency and the number of revolutions per minute (RPM) of the rotor 2, according to which the number of revo-lutions per minute is equivalent to the ratio between the electric frequency and the number of polar couples of the ro-tor (constant), a measurement of the phase frequency will re-sult corresponding to the measurement of the number of revo-lutions RPM of the magnetogenerator 1.
As pointed out previously with reference to figure 3, it is also known that at low numbers of revolutions of the volt-age magnetogenerator, the current I supplied to the battery 5 is greater if the phase windings are star connected, compared to a delta connection; the opposite occurs for a high number of revolutions.
Consequently, as soon as the rotor 2 begins to move the electronic measuring circuit 9 and the control circuit 10 bring the three switching devices 8 into conduction, giving rise to the star connection of the phase windings 3A, 3B and 3C. This operative procedure is maintained until the genera-tor 1 reaches a number of revolutions of a pre-established value, referred to as threshold value RPM', corresponding to the point P of figure 3 in which the value of the current I' supplied by the generator is unrelated to the star or delta type connection of the phase windings.
Under these conditions the circuits 9, 10 for measuring the speed of rotation and controlling the switching devices 8, no longer pilot the thyristors T which switch OFF as soon as their current drops to zero; the phase windings thus turn out to be delta connected, and remain so upon the increase of the number of revolutions RPM to fulfil a greater request for electric power.
In both these modes of connection of the phase windings, 10 however, the switches 6 for short-circuiting to ground the phase windings, are activated as soon as the battery rated value VR is exceeded; in addition, in order to decrease the current which flows in the phase windings of the generator, and in the switching devices 8, the short-circuiting switches 6 do not enter into conduction when the phase windings are delta connected, but only after the control circuit 10 has forced the star connection.
Consequently, also at high numbers of revolutions of the voltage generator, close to the rated value VR of the battery 20 voltage, it is advisable to reduce the current for short-circuiting to ground, returning to the star connection, and activating the short-circuiting switches 6 immediately after.
From what has been described and shown in the accompany-ing drawings, it will be clearly evident that a voltage regu-lator for permanent magnet generators is provided, with wind-ings connection selectively configurable in two different ~ ` .
conditions, of such kind as to supply the maximum current re-quired to maintain the voltage VB for charging a battery con-stant, regardless of the requests for power thereby prevent-ing, upon reaching the battery regulating voltage VR, exces-sive currents from flowing in the phase windings of the volt-age generator 1 and in the switching devices 8 for changing the connection configuration.
It is understood that what has been described with refer-ence to the various figures, has been given in order to il-lustrate the general characteristics of the invention, and of a preferential embodiment. Therefore, other modifications or variations may be made, for example for the application of a similar or equivalent voltage regulator to any multi-phase permanent magnet generator, without thereby departing from the claims.
Claims (4)
1. A voltage regulator suitable to change an A.C.
power of a voltage magnetogenerator, into a D.C. power supplied to a battery, in which the voltage magnetogenerator comprises a rotor and first, second and third phase windings each having first and second connecting terminals, and in which the voltage regulator is conformed for changing the connection of the phase windings between a first and a second configuration in relation to a rated voltage of the battery and a voltage frequency of the magnetogenerator;
comprising:
first and second semi-bridge rectifiers connected, in phase opposition with one another, between a corresponding terminal of a respective phase winding of the magnetogenerator, and the battery;
a winding configuration control circuit for changing the connection of the phase windings, the winding configuration circuit comprising a plurality of switching devices, each consisting of first and second electronic switches connected in antiparallel, in a looped circuit, in which the connection point between two adjacent switching devices is in turn connected to one terminal of a respective phase winding;
a pilot circuit for the winding configuration circuit, the pilot circuit being connected to control electrodes of said first and second electronic switches of the switching devices respectively being operatively connected to a voltage measuring circuit for the battery, and to a phase-frequency detecting circuit;
the phase frequency detecting circuit being conformed to activate the pilot circuit and to selectively change the connection configuration of the windings at a pre-established threshold value of the voltage frequency detected by said frequency detecting circuit, wherein the switching devices are connected each other and to the phase windings to change between star and a delta configuration of the same phase windings;
an electronic short-circuiting switch between each phase winding and ground of the voltage regulator;
short-circuiting control circuits each connected to a control electrode of a respective short-circuiting switch; and a main control circuit operatively connected between the short-circuiting control circuits and the voltage measuring circuit, for short-circuiting to ground the windings of the magnetogenerator upon exceeding a rated value of the battery voltage;
wherein the main control circuit and the pilot circuit, are connected to the voltage measuring circuit by a respective Zener diode; and wherein the Zener diode of the pilot circuit, has a voltage value lower than the voltage value of the Zener of the main control circuit.
power of a voltage magnetogenerator, into a D.C. power supplied to a battery, in which the voltage magnetogenerator comprises a rotor and first, second and third phase windings each having first and second connecting terminals, and in which the voltage regulator is conformed for changing the connection of the phase windings between a first and a second configuration in relation to a rated voltage of the battery and a voltage frequency of the magnetogenerator;
comprising:
first and second semi-bridge rectifiers connected, in phase opposition with one another, between a corresponding terminal of a respective phase winding of the magnetogenerator, and the battery;
a winding configuration control circuit for changing the connection of the phase windings, the winding configuration circuit comprising a plurality of switching devices, each consisting of first and second electronic switches connected in antiparallel, in a looped circuit, in which the connection point between two adjacent switching devices is in turn connected to one terminal of a respective phase winding;
a pilot circuit for the winding configuration circuit, the pilot circuit being connected to control electrodes of said first and second electronic switches of the switching devices respectively being operatively connected to a voltage measuring circuit for the battery, and to a phase-frequency detecting circuit;
the phase frequency detecting circuit being conformed to activate the pilot circuit and to selectively change the connection configuration of the windings at a pre-established threshold value of the voltage frequency detected by said frequency detecting circuit, wherein the switching devices are connected each other and to the phase windings to change between star and a delta configuration of the same phase windings;
an electronic short-circuiting switch between each phase winding and ground of the voltage regulator;
short-circuiting control circuits each connected to a control electrode of a respective short-circuiting switch; and a main control circuit operatively connected between the short-circuiting control circuits and the voltage measuring circuit, for short-circuiting to ground the windings of the magnetogenerator upon exceeding a rated value of the battery voltage;
wherein the main control circuit and the pilot circuit, are connected to the voltage measuring circuit by a respective Zener diode; and wherein the Zener diode of the pilot circuit, has a voltage value lower than the voltage value of the Zener of the main control circuit.
2. The voltage regulator according to claim 1, wherein a first terminal of each phase winding is connected to ground by a respective short-circuiting switch, and in that the other terminal of each phase winding is connected to a connection point between the switching devices.
3. The voltage regulator according to claim 1, wherein the pilot circuit is operatively connected to a voltage-frequency detecting circuit of the magnetogenerator.
4. The voltage regulator according to claim 1, wherein each switching device consists of a first and second thyristors connected in antiparallel.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| ITMI2007A001432 | 2007-07-17 | ||
| IT001432A ITMI20071432A1 (en) | 2007-07-17 | 2007-07-17 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR FOR MAGNETOGENERATORS WITH CONFIGURABLE CONNECTION OF PHASE WINDINGS |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2635577A1 CA2635577A1 (en) | 2009-01-17 |
| CA2635577C true CA2635577C (en) | 2014-07-15 |
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Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2635577A Active CA2635577C (en) | 2007-07-17 | 2008-06-23 | Voltage regulator for magnetogenerators with configurable connection of the phase windings |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US7948218B2 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP2017941B1 (en) |
| KR (1) | KR101105894B1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN101350534B (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2635577C (en) |
| IT (1) | ITMI20071432A1 (en) |
| TW (1) | TWI404327B (en) |
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| US10644513B2 (en) | 2016-06-08 | 2020-05-05 | Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation | High voltage power generating system |
| JP6825961B2 (en) * | 2017-03-30 | 2021-02-03 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | Engine generator |
| DE102017222826A1 (en) * | 2017-12-15 | 2019-06-19 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Charge control device for an electrical storage in a motor vehicle |
| US11424612B2 (en) * | 2019-04-15 | 2022-08-23 | Ge Aviation Systems Llc | Method and apparatus for over voltage protection of a power system |
| CN114142777B (en) * | 2021-12-02 | 2023-10-10 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Control system, method and storage medium for multiphase generator |
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-
2007
- 2007-07-17 IT IT001432A patent/ITMI20071432A1/en unknown
-
2008
- 2008-06-19 EP EP08011115.6A patent/EP2017941B1/en active Active
- 2008-06-23 CA CA2635577A patent/CA2635577C/en active Active
- 2008-06-24 TW TW097123437A patent/TWI404327B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2008-07-08 US US12/168,931 patent/US7948218B2/en active Active
- 2008-07-09 KR KR1020080066367A patent/KR101105894B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2008-07-16 CN CN2008101336387A patent/CN101350534B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| TW200922112A (en) | 2009-05-16 |
| KR20090008129A (en) | 2009-01-21 |
| EP2017941B1 (en) | 2015-08-05 |
| EP2017941A3 (en) | 2011-11-23 |
| ITMI20071432A1 (en) | 2009-01-18 |
| US7948218B2 (en) | 2011-05-24 |
| EP2017941A2 (en) | 2009-01-21 |
| CN101350534A (en) | 2009-01-21 |
| KR101105894B1 (en) | 2012-01-17 |
| CN101350534B (en) | 2012-07-04 |
| TWI404327B (en) | 2013-08-01 |
| US20090021224A1 (en) | 2009-01-22 |
| CA2635577A1 (en) | 2009-01-17 |
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